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Subramanian D, Tjahjono N, Hernandez PA, Varner VD, Petroll WM, Schmidtke DW. Fabrication of Micropatterns of Aligned Collagen Fibrils. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:2551-2561. [PMID: 38277615 PMCID: PMC11001481 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Many tissues in vivo contain aligned structures such as filaments, fibrils, and fibers, which expose cells to anisotropic structural and topographical cues that range from the nanometer to micrometer scales. Understanding how cell behavior is regulated by these cues during physiological and pathological processes (e.g., wound healing, cancer invasion) requires substrates that can expose cells to anisotropic cues over several length scales. In this study, we developed a novel method of fabricating micropatterns of aligned collagen fibrils of different geometry onto PDMS-coated glass coverslips that allowed us to investigate the roles of topography and confinement on corneal cell behavior. When corneal cells were cultured on micropatterns of aligned collagen fibrils in the absence of confinement, the degree of cell alignment increased from 40 ± 14 to 82 ± 5% as the size of the micropattern width decreased from 750 to 50 μm. Although the cell area (∼2500 μm2), cell length (∼160 μm), and projected nuclear area (∼175 μm2) were relatively constant on the different micropattern widths, cells displayed an increased aspect ratio as the width of the aligned collagen fibril micropatterns decreased. We also observed that the morphology of cells adhering to the surrounding uncoated PDMS was dependent upon both the size of the aligned collagen fibril micropattern and the distance from the micropatterns. When corneal cells were confined to the micropatterns of aligned collagen fibrils by a Pluronic coating to passivate the surrounding area, a similar trend in increasing cell alignment was observed (35 ± 10 to 89 ± 2%). However, the projected nuclear area decreased significantly (∼210 to 130 μm2) as the micropattern width decreased from 750 to 50 μm. The development of this method allows for the deposition of aligned collagen fibril micropatterns of different geometries on a transparent and elastic substrate and provides an excellent model system to investigate the role of anisotropic cues in cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Subramanian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
| | - Nathaniel Tjahjono
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
| | - Paula A. Hernandez
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, 75390
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, 75390
| | - Victor D. Varner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, 75390
| | - W. Matthew Petroll
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, 75390
| | - David W. Schmidtke
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, 75390
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Zhang Y, Luo Y, Gao S, Zou L, Guan Y, Zhang Y. Liquid crystalline composite hydrogels with large pH-triggered anisotropic swelling for embolotherapy. Acta Biomater 2024; 174:206-216. [PMID: 38101558 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by the anisotropic structure of biological tissues, anisotropic hydrogels have been developed using various nanofillers, however, it remains a big challenge to synthesize hydrogels with large swelling anisotropy. Herein a single molecule filler, α-helical polypeptide, instead of nanoscale fillers, was used to synthesize anisotropic hydrogels. First nematic liquid crystal of poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate) (PBLG) was prepared by shearing and stabilized by embedding in a crosslinked polymer matrix. The resulting PBLG composite gels were then converted to poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLGA) composite gels by debenzylation. The rigid rod-like structure of α-helical PBLG chains makes them easy to be orientated. The pH-sensitivity of PLGA makes the resulting composite gels pH-sensitive without the need to couple with a stimuli-responsive hydrogel matrix. In response to pH change PLGA composite gels swell anisotropically with a much larger swelling degree in the radial direction than in the axial direction. The swelling anisotropy (3.43) is much higher than most anisotropic hydrogels, particularly the stimuli-responsive ones reported previously. The composite gel also exhibits anisotropic mechanical properties with a larger Young's modulus in the axial direction than that in the radial direction. Preliminary test demonstrated that the composite gels have potential in embolotherapy thanks to its large pH-triggered anisotropic swelling. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Anisotropic hydrogels have important biomedical applications. Introduction of oriented nanofillers has been demonstrated a popular and versatile method for their synthesis, however, it remains a big challenge to achieve large swelling anisotropy. Herein a single molecule filler, α-helical polypeptide, instead of nanoscale fillers, was used to synthesize anisotropic hydrogels. This filler can be easily oriented by shearing. More importantly, as single molecule filler, it can constrain the swelling of hydrogel matrix more effectively. Using this filler, a pH-sensitive hydrogel with large swelling anisotropy (3.43) was successfully synthesized. Thanks to its large pH-triggered anisotropic swelling the hydrogel was successfully used as embolic agent to occlude vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Ying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Sijia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Lei Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Ying Guan
- Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China; Cangzhou Institute of Tiangong University, Cangzhou 061000, China.
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Nasseri R, Bouzari N, Huang J, Golzar H, Jankhani S, Tang XS, Mekonnen TH, Aghakhani A, Shahsavan H. Programmable nanocomposites of cellulose nanocrystals and zwitterionic hydrogels for soft robotics. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6108. [PMID: 37777525 PMCID: PMC10542366 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41874-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have garnered significant attention as a versatile class of soft actuators. Introducing anisotropic properties, and shape-change programmability to responsive hydrogels promises a host of opportunities in the development of soft robots. Herein we report the synthesis of pH-responsive hydrogel nanocomposites with predetermined microstructural anisotropy, shape-transformation, and self-healing. Our hydrogel nanocomposites are largely composed of zwitterionic monomers and asymmetric cellulose nanocrystals. While the zwitterionic nature of the network imparts both self-healing and cytocompatibility to our hydrogel nanocomposites, the shear-induced alignment of cellulose nanocrystals renders their anisotropic swelling and mechanical properties. Thanks to the self-healing properties, we utilized a cut-and-paste approach to program reversible, and complex deformation into our hydrogels. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrated the transport of light cargo using tethered and untethered soft robots made from our hydrogels. We believe the proposed material system introduce a powerful toolbox for the development of future generations of biomedical soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasool Nasseri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Negin Bouzari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Junting Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hossein Golzar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Sarah Jankhani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Xiaowu Shirley Tang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Tizazu H Mekonnen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
- Institute for Polymer Research, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Amirreza Aghakhani
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems (IBBS), University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hamed Shahsavan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
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Edwin PERG, Kumar S, Roy S, Roy B, Bajpai SK. Anisotropic 3D confinement of MCF-7 cells induces directed cell-migration and viscoelastic anisotropy of cell-membrane. Phys Biol 2023; 20. [DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ac9bc1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Tumor-associated collagen signature-3 (TACS-3) is a prognostic indicator for breast cancer survival. It is characterized by highly organized, parallel bundles of collagen fibers oriented perpendicular to the tumor boundary, serving as directional, confining channels for cancer cell invasion. Here we design a TACS-3-mimetic anisotropic, confined collagen I matrix and examine the relation between anisotropy of matrix, directed cellular migration, and anisotropy of cell membrane-the first direct contact between TACS-3 and cell-using Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells as cancer-model. Using unidirectional freezing, we generated ∼50 μm-wide channels filled with collagen I. Optical tweezer (OT) microrheology shows that anisotropic confinement increases collagen viscoelasticity by two orders of magnitude, and the elastic modulus is significantly greater along the direction of anisotropic confinement compared to that along the orthogonal direction, thus establishing matrix anisotropy. Furthermore, MCF-7 cells embedded in anisotropic collagen I, exhibit directionality in cellular morphology and migration. Finally, using customized OT to trap polystyrene probes bound to cell-membrane (and not to ECM) of either free cells or cells under anisotropic confinement, we quantified the effect of matrix anisotropy on membrane viscoelasticity, both in-plane and out-of-plane, vis-à-vis the membrane. Both bulk and viscous modulus of cell-membrane of MCF-7 cells exhibit significant anisotropy under anisotropic confinement. Moreover, the cell membrane of MCF-7 cells under anisotropic confinement is significantly softer (both in-plane and out-of-plane moduli) despite their local environment being five times stiffer than free cells. In order to test if the coupling between anisotropy of extracellular matrix and anisotropy of cell-membrane is regulated by cell-cytoskeleton, actin cytoskeleton was depolymerized for both free and confined cells. Results show that cell membrane viscoelasticity of confined MCF-7 cells is unaffected by actin de-polymerization, in contrast to free cells. Together, these findings suggest that anisotropy of ECM induces directed migration and correlates with anisotropy of cell-membrane viscoelasticity of the MCF-7 cells in an actin-independent manner.
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Uchida J, Soberats B, Gupta M, Kato T. Advanced Functional Liquid Crystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2109063. [PMID: 35034382 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202109063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals have been intensively studied as functional materials. Recently, integration of various disciplines has led to new directions in the design of functional liquid-crystalline materials in the fields of energy, water, photonics, actuation, sensing, and biotechnology. Here, recent advances in functional liquid crystals based on polymers, supramolecular complexes, gels, colloids, and inorganic-based hybrids are reviewed, from design strategies to functionalization of these materials and interfaces. New insights into liquid crystals provided by significant progress in advanced measurements and computational simulations, which enhance new design and functionalization of liquid-crystalline materials, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Bartolome Soberats
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. Valldemossa Km. 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, 07122, Spain
| | - Monika Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University, Wakasato, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan
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Magana JR, Pérez-Calm A, Rodriguez-Abreu C. Chromonic nematic liquid crystals in a room-temperature ionic liquid. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:1724-1727. [PMID: 35024700 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc05800b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Planar multiaromatic molecules hierarchically and selectively arrange into nematic chromonic liquid crystals in the room temperature ionic liquid 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate. In a proof of concept, these liquid crystals were used as reaction media to produce mesostructured silica materials under mild biomimetic conditions. Several other applications are envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Rodrigo Magana
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Adria Pérez-Calm
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26 08034, Barcelona, Spain. .,Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Rodriguez-Abreu
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26 08034, Barcelona, Spain. .,Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Jordi Girona 18-26 08034, Barcelona, Spain
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Ma C, Choi JB, Jang YS, Kim SY, Bae TS, Kim YK, Park JM, Lee MH. Mammalian and Fish Gelatin Methacryloyl-Alginate Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:17433-17441. [PMID: 34278129 PMCID: PMC8280709 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c01806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) has been widely studied as a biomaterial for tissue engineering. Most studies focus on mammalian gelatin, but certain factors, such as mammalian diseases and diet restrictions, limit the use of mammalian gelatin. Thus, fish gelatin has received much attention as a substitute material in recent years. To develop a broadly applicable hydrogel with excellent properties, an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel was synthesized, since IPN hydrogels consist of at least two different hydrogel components to combine their advantages. In this study, we prepared GelMA using type A and fish gelatin and then synthesized IPN hydrogels using GelMA with alginate. GelMA single-network hydrogels were used as a control group. The favorable mechanical properties of type A and fish hydrogels improved after the synthesis of the IPN hydrogels. Type A and fish IPN hydrogels showed different mechanical properties (mechanical strength, swelling ratio, and degradation rate) and different cross-sectional morphologies, since the degree of mechanical enhancement in fish IPN hydrogels was less than that in type A; however, the cell biocompatibilities were not significantly different. Therefore, these findings could serve as a reference for future studies when selecting GelMA as a biological material for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ma
- Department
of Dental Biomaterials, Institute of Biodegradable Materials, School
of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
| | - Ji-Bong Choi
- Department
of Dental Biomaterials, Institute of Biodegradable Materials, School
of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
| | - Yong-Seok Jang
- Department
of Dental Biomaterials, Institute of Biodegradable Materials, School
of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
| | - Seo-Young Kim
- Department
of Dental Biomaterials, Institute of Biodegradable Materials, School
of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
| | - Tae-Sung Bae
- Department
of Dental Biomaterials, Institute of Biodegradable Materials, School
of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
| | - Yu-Kyoung Kim
- Department
of Dental Biomaterials, Institute of Biodegradable Materials, School
of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
| | - Ju-Mi Park
- Department
of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Jeonju 54896, South Korea
| | - Min-Ho Lee
- Department
of Dental Biomaterials, Institute of Biodegradable Materials, School
of Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
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Bosire R, Ndaya D, Kasi RM. Recent progress in functional materials from lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals. POLYM INT 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.6113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reuben Bosire
- Department of Chemistry University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
| | - Dennis Ndaya
- Department of Chemistry University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
| | - Rajeswari M Kasi
- Department of Chemistry University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
- Polymer Program, Institute of Material Science University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
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